ERCOT CEO Seeks Earlier Data Center Power Cuts Before Emergencies

Cointime update: The CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), Pablo Vegas, plans to ask the state legislature for authority to require data centers to cut power use before an emergency is declared. Under current rules, Texas can only order data centers to reduce demand at the second of three emergency alert levels. Vegas wants curtailment to begin at Level 1, or even at the first signs of a power shortage, to protect residents and businesses.